⚡ CFB Dashboard

It would be an understatement to say this season has not started according to plan for Fran Brown's Syracuse Orange. After starting the season 1-2 and benching their quarterback Steve Angeli at the end of their third game, there was an odd air surrounding the Orange entering their bye week. Would they panic and bench Angeli, the player this season seemingly relied on the most? How would they fix the penalties? The questions were endless. Some of those questions got answered earlier this week. In Brown's press conference on Monday, he announced he would in fact be sticking with Steve Angeli as quarterback, however he would be designing specific packages and plays for backup Amari Odom after his polished play in garbage time against Pitt. And while Angeli seemed stoic during interviews on Tuesday, answering the questions regarding the potential snap split with, "I defer that to coach", there were a few players exuding confidence and that same excited energy that was commonplace at the beginning of the season.  "I'm just going to prepare like I'm the guy."  Amari Odom was electric in his first podium interview of the season on Tuesday, as he answered several questions regarding his potential split with Angeli. And while he seemed excited to be getting the opportunity, he was quick to point out that this is more than him. At the end of the day it's about wins and losses, something running back Ahmad Miller also spoke on during Tuesday's interviews.  Miller was Cuse's leading rusher in the loss to Pittsburgh, and seized the opportunity in his first game as the leading rusher. And while Miller is still not touted as the starting running back going forward, he said that "actually is a blessing". Miller went on to say it pushes him to be the best version of himself, saying "it's a great thing to me. I don't look at it as like, 'Oh man I have competition', that's football… It's great to have guys where it's not a drop off." However, Miller then said something that sounded familiar from Odom's presser.  "I always have the mindset that I'm that guy," Miller said.  Syracuse faces UConn this week in a pivotal get-right game as Syracuse tries to get back to .500. And while the team may not be in the ideal position it hoped for going into the season, the pressure may create some diamonds out of players that may have otherwise never received playing time. And as they try to right the ship, the Orange may find themselves relying more and more on the next man up.